Art sale, Empty Cups fundraiser to benefit students, community

Northwest Missouri State University’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts will host its annual spring art sale and Empty Cups fundraising event Friday, April 16, and Saturday, April 17.

The art sale is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and continues from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Fire Arts Building, located at the corner of North Munn Avenue and West Third Street. The event offers an opportunity to buy art created by students in upper-level classes, and proceeds from the sale help students pay for materials and fees.

Patrons will find pottery, cups, paintings and limited-edition prints.

“We look at it as a profession-based learning experience,” Veronica Watkins, an assistant professor of art, said. “We are teaching students to be practicing artists, and part of being an artist can be exhibition and selling your work.”

During the Empty Cups event, patrons may purchase a ceramic cup from the Northwest Clay Club, and half of the proceeds are donated to the Maryville Ministry Center and Northwest’s Bearcat Food Pantry.

The Clay Club, an organization for students who work with clay and ceramics, sponsors Empty Cups each winter and spring. The winter Empty Cups event raised $120.75 each for the Bearcat Food Pantry and the Ministry Center.

For more information, email Watkins at watkins@nwmissouri.edu.